Defense
Kansas State has done a pretty good job at preventing points this year, ranking 22nd in scoring defense.
This unit is headlined by pass rusher Felix Anudike-Uzomah, who had over 40 pressures and 10 sacks in the regular season. He came in raw as a freshman in 2020 but became a complete player as a sophomore in 2021.
Anudike-Uzomah was co-defensive lineman of the year in the Big 12, sharing it with Iowa State’s Will McDonald.
On the back end, the defense is led by safety Russ Yeast, a second-team All-Big 12 selection. Yeast broke up seven passes this year and lined up at safety, slot corner, and even came down into the box, ranking third on the team in tackles.
It’s still unclear who will start at QB for LSU, but whoever does might find some success targeting Kansas State CB Julius Brents.
Brents leads a CB group that ranked 128th in the FBS in opponent completion percentage, allowing 7.3 yards per pass too.
It’s not the worst pass defense, but it certainly isn’t as good as Kansas State’s rush defense, which ranks top 35 in a lot of stats, including 16th in rushing success rate.